Pakistan's security forces have eliminated five additional militants in Balochistan's ongoing Operation Shaban, pushing the total number of terrorists killed in the operation to 76, state media reported Monday. The announcement came as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the military and police for their coordinated ground and aerial efforts. Main Developments Radio Pakistan, citing security sources, confirmed the latest deaths occurred during joint operations by the army, Frontier Corps (FC), and Balochistan Police. The operation was launched in response to a July 7 terrorist attack at the Mangi Dam area that killed 27 police personnel. Since July 5, a total of 114 terrorists have been killed across Operation Shaban and other intelligence-based operations in the province, according to the same sources. The interior ministry's X account quoted Naqvi as commending the army, FC, and police for their professionalism in both ground and aerial operations. Read also: Why Rising Police Deaths in KP Signal a Broader Security Crisis Background The government uses the term "Fitna-al-Hindustan" to describe groups in Balochistan it accuses of being backed by India to carry out attacks on Pakistani soil. Naqvi stated the fight would continue until these elements are eliminated. Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that the country's civil and military leadership had made a "mutual and singular decision" to end terrorism. He spoke at a Provincial Apex Committee meeting in Quetta, attended by Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir, following a series of major attacks in Balochistan. Why It Matters At least 42 people—four civilians, 27 policemen, and 11 security personnel—have died in terrorist attacks and subsequent operations in Balochistan since July 5, according to ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. The surge in violence underscores the persistent threat to stability in the resource-rich province, where security forces are now conducting both aerial and ground campaigns. What's Next Naqvi asserted that those responsible for shedding innocent blood in Balochistan "deserve no leniency" and that the nation stands firmly with the security forces. The operation is expected to continue until all terrorist networks are dismantled, with the interior minister emphasizing that the killing of 114 militants so far reflects the high readiness of Pakistan's security forces.